Message war over economy

The challenge for Republicans, in addition to reassuring the less-than-affluent that the party's economic policies will benefit everyone, is to sow as much doubt about Edwards as possible. Kerry's veep announcement represents one of the few moments of maximum public attention to his campaign between now and election day, and in an exceptionally tight race, he needs as much bounce in the polls as he can get.

The Bush campaign is belittling Edwards for his short political career - less than six years - and highlighting his previous career as a personal injury lawyer, a particular breed of lawyer that Republicans and the business lobby target for bringing frivolous lawsuits and driving up insurance rates.

"In the next two or three weeks, it's very critical that the Democrats focus on their key message, because the Republicans are going to try to identify Edwards as unqualified," says Ed Sarpolus, an independent pollster based in Michigan.

That's the goal of the new Bush TV ad featuring Sen. John McCain endorsing the president, a poke at Kerry, who had courted the Arizona Republican to be his running mate and thus form a potentially blockbuster "unity ticket." Mr. Sarpolus doesn't see that spot doing much damage to Kerry-Edwards, and adds that overnight polling shows strong approval for Edwards.

The strongest critique against Edwards, analysts say, is his short experience in government, which the Bush team is already emphasizing, given the dangerous times and need for a firm hand at the helm. Kerry himself had stressed, before naming Edwards, that a top qualification for running mate is the ability to assume the presidency at a moment's notice. No one is arguing that Edwards was the most experienced candidate out there to stand at Kerry's side. But ultimately, Kerry opted for Edwards's sparkle and compelling rags-to-riches biography.

"If the Republicans can get Edwards off his game, then that's not good for Kerry," says Maryland-based pollster Del Ali. "But if he stays as positive and optimistic as he's been the last year, he's a tremendous asset. He's going to focus on the two Americas. He's going to say there's Dick Cheney's America and there's the America ... in my state."

The next big moment in the spotlight will the Democratic National Convention in Boston, which begins July 26. Kerry remains ill-defined to many voters, not just his positions on the issues but also his life story.

"What we have to do is remember that a lot of people haven't heard the story yet," Mr. Devine said at the Monitor breakfast. "There has to be a lot of biography both for Senator Kerry and for Senator Edwards."

• Gail Russell Chaddock and David T. Cook contributed to this report.

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